Nonprofit kennel takes first step toward Lodi opening

LODI - A nonprofit dog kennel, designed to save as many as 30 canines from euthanasia at a time, has cleared its first hurdle to open in unincorporated Lodi.

Keith Reid

LODI - A nonprofit dog kennel, designed to save as many as 30 canines from euthanasia at a time, has cleared its first hurdle to open in unincorporated Lodi.

The San Joaquin County Planning Commission has approved a use permit for Bill and Kate Montgomery's Dog Spot Rescue to utilize a 4,000-square-foot barn on 2.3 acres of land on Atkins Road, just north of Brandt Road.

"Basically our mission is to save dogs off the euthanasia list from local shelters which are maxed out beyond capacity with homeless dogs," Kate Montgomery said via email. "We take the dogs from those lists that are left behind by other shelters."

Montgomery describes Dog Spot Rescue as a grass-roots nonprofit that has provided emergency shelter for animals during floods and fires. They also assist in hoarding situations, she said.

Currently a transport of 29 dogs - many of them poodles that were poorly treated in a hoarding situation - are being spayed and neutered at the California Hospital for Cats and Dogs in Stockton. Then, they will be fostered out through one of the group's large adoption events.

Montgomery said her group has foster homes that help raise the dogs for adoption in several homes in northern California and are looking toward the Atkins Road property as its first brick-and-mortar home.

Planning Commission Chairman Peter Johnson said he and others on the board were sold by Dog Spot's plan to set up a shelter that has a similar look and feel of a pet store with individual cages and play areas for the dogs.

"What we thought ... is that we make a lot of decisions for people. This is a chance for us to do something for our four-legged friends," Johnson said.

Johnson and his colleagues approved the first step, a land use permit, with a 4-1 vote last week. Now, Montgomery said she needs to raise more than $10,000 for improvements, including a restroom installation, and some other licenses.

There also is some opposition to the project by Atkins Road neighbors Paul and Tracy Matheson.

Johnson said the Matheson's complained to the planning commission that dog barking is constant, and they cannot enjoy their property. Court records show the Matheson's and Montgomery's have had a contentious relationship. In a recent case, a judge placed a temporary restraining order on Paul Matheson for alleged harassment.

The case was dismissed on Aug. 10, and the restraining order dissolved.

Johnson said he heard the Matheson's complaint regarding noise but said the Montgomery's have not housed dogs on the property for over a year "so I don't know where the noise is coming from."

Johnson also said that with a lot of open space between the neighbors, he felt a dog shelter was a valid use of the land.

"This is a rural location with a lot of acreage between neighbors," he said. "If you don't want to put a dog kennel in a space like that, where do you want to put it?"

San Joaquin County Planning Department staffer Mo Hatef said the Matheson's have 10 days to appeal the Planning Commission's decision to the Board of Supervisors. Johnson said he expects an appeal.

Local animal rights advocates are hopeful the Montgomery's plan is approved. University of the Pacific administrator Eileen McFall, who has also been vocal for shelter reform in San Joaquin County, said any safe haven for animals in the county is welcome.

"Stockton and San Joaquin County seem to have less capacity for rescue and foster. Anything that builds that capacity is a good thing," McFall said.